Page 34 of Alliance

I run a hand over the stubble that covers my face. I’ve been waiting for an in, a place in this family. Something she was just simply born into. We’re different, the two of us. A stranger would just see two, twenty-something's at the bar, but the power dynamic is off. She’s practically royalty, a mob princess. And I’m just a solider, a drug runner,nothing.

The past year I’ve spent running around, giving into Marcus’ every whim in order for a chance to earn my button. I can’t help thinking that Sam could just be stringing me along. He practically pushed me at her tonight. What if someone finds us here? It’s not her who will pay for it.

But then I remember her face as she tipped back the bottle of jack and asked me to make her forget for a minute. Maybe she does pay, her payment is simply different.

There are rules that go along with this secret society. Loyalty is above all of them. We’re loyal to each other, toLa famiglia,and to our boss above all else.

The thing in New Orleans is that the Costello family isLa famiglia.Don Carmine brought this thing of ours over from Sicily, stopping in New York for only a brief moment before heading south to Louisiana. He built this family and this city from the ground up. Before his death he named Junior as his successor, something Lana’s father didn’t take very well.

But I assume Damien has been planning his coup since before Junior was named the successor. He tried to marry off Lily to Davis years ago. The only reason the deal was delayed was because she jumped off the balcony. If Lily was alive, I guarantee Davis would be five steps ahead in whatever power play he has going.

Junior and Sam must know though, they must suspect. I have the urge to ask him, see what he’s planning, but that’s above my pay grade and Sam has already been generous with me.

Everyone in this city respected Don Carmine, and since he named Junior his successor, they should respect him. At least, hypothetically.

My stomach clenches thinking about Damien winning the war that’s brewing. What happens to Lana if Sam doesn’t have a plan or if Junior can’t help her? She just gets married to Davis and that’s it?

“Is Naz short for something?” she asks, her eyes traveling back up to meet mine as she breaks me out of the thoughts that were running through my head.

“Ignazio.”

She hums a pleasant sound, of interest I think. “Fiery,” she says with a smile. This time the smile is brighter, her full lips open and her white teeth are on display for me.

Fiery.

Is that a flirt, a compliment? I’m not sure. She must sense my confusion, see the look on my face.

“Ignis,” she says. “It’s Latin for fire. Ignazio, Ignis. You’re named after fire. I wonder why. Did your mom ever mention?” she says everything in a rush of words spewing from her lips. She’s unfazed by the verbal vomit that just left her, bringing the plastic cup back to her lips, grimacing as she takes another swig.

“Fire,” I repeat, stunned and amazed.

She looks back to be, that grin still plastered to her face. “Sorry.” She laughs. “I have a thing for names. I was bored a lot as a kid.”

“Why?” is all I can manage to say.

She chuckles to herself and looks at me over the rim of the plastic. “I was homeschooled for a while. Parents are crazy, remember?”

“They taught you?” I’m surprised. Damien Romano doesn’t seem like one to take much interest in his daughters, if only because they’re not boys. And her mother doesn’t seem like the type of woman who wanted to spend much time with her kids. Every time I’ve seen Carlotta, she looked cold, unfeeling.

The night her older daughter leapt from a balcony is seared into my mind.

I redirect my attention back to Lana. She shakes her head to answer my question. “No, we had a teacher that came to the house.”

“Wow,” I say, silently addingthat is some rich person shit.Only the extravagantly wealthy have private teachers. A step above the eliteness of the private schools. I try not to scoff. It’s not her fault she was born with something that most people will never have.

“So you spent your free time learning…Latin?”

She laughs, a light breathy sound. “No. Origins. I like knowing where things come from.”

“Okay.” I chuckle. “What does Lana mean?”

“Slavic,” she recites. “Meaning light.”

“So light and fire. Seems like we could burn this place down.”

Chapter Sixteen

WHEN WE STEP OUT OFthe tiny dive bar, I’m buzzed.

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